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Friday, February 28, 2014

Welcome to the FATHOMS OF FORGIVNESS Book Blast. Enjoy the excerpt and don't forget to comment. Author, Nadia
Scrieva will be awarding the box set of Sacred Breath Series or the box set of Thirty
Minutes to Heartbreak (winner's choice)to a randomly drawn commenter during the
tourFollow the tour and
comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour
dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-blast-fathoms-of-forgiveness-by.html

Fathoms of ForgivenessByNadia Scrieva

BLURB:Meet the brave and fearless Visola; a woman unlike any you've ever encountered. Her wit and humor take her through the darkest of dangers with a smile always on her face--and her smile only grows larger as the odds become more impossible. With no concern for her own safety, Visola dives headfirst into the throes of battle to protect the people and country she loves, even if it means facing her worst enemy--the one man who can get inside her head and break her down like no other: her own husband...

EXCERPTWhen Aazuria entered the room, her eyes were immediately drawn to Visola’s wild red hair, which had recently been a lustrous mass of audacious curls. Now, her hair was limp. It hung against her head flat, frizzy and defeated. Aazuria’s eyes darted to the warrior’s sunken cheekbones and gaunt face. She saw the bruises on Visola’s neck before her eyes traveled further to the withered, wasted limbs. Every visible part of her friend’s body was covered in fresh scars. She saw the bandaged hands. Visola had been starved and tortured. Perhaps in these modern times, even under the surface of the sea, kings, queens, and the aristocracy had close to zero significance. Perhaps the words and decrees which left Aazuria’s mouth would have minimal consequences. No one in the throne room felt this way as they awaited Aazuria’s judgment with bated breath. Sionna was standing aside, with her arms crossed. The newly-crowned queen gripped her husband’s sword tightly in her fist as Trevain and Elandria entered the room behind her. Aazuria shifted her eyes to the man standing beside her friend. Her face was expressionless.“Approach me, Vachlan,” she whispered. The man began walking toward her. Although his stride was dignified, there was hesitation on his face. Visola began speaking, pleading words which Aazuria could not hear over the sound of her heart pounding in her ears. When Vachlan was close enough to strike, Aazuria gazed at him with death in her eyes.

“Kneel,” she commanded him. Her chest was rising and falling perceptibly.Vachlan knew that this would be a very unwise thing to do, but he owed it to Aazuria. He owed it to Visola, and to Adlivun—the nation he had once called home. He lowered his head and dropped to one knee before the queen, saluting her across his chest. His eyes were level with the sword she held, and he could see the veins bulging through her translucent pale skin from how tightly she clutched it.“It would be futile to order you punished,” she said slowly. “No one can even attempt to hurt you as much as you have hurt her.”“I know,” he answered quietly.“But it is my duty to try.” She struck out with her sword, slicing the air until the blade collided with his face, knocking Vachlan off his knees and onto the floor. Aazuria could vaguely hear Visola screaming for her to stop, but she was already standing over Vachlan and forcing the tip of her sword between his teeth. Her previous strike had resulted in a huge bleeding gash along the side of his handsome face, but it had not been enough to kill him. She was poised to finish the job. Vachlan moved his tongue against the steel, tasting the freshly-sharpened metal edge garnished with the metallic taste of his own blood. It is rare that the wine so perfectly accompanies the main dish, he thought as he swallowed the coppery fluid accumulating in his mouth. Kind of like a German Pinot Noir. He looked into the azure eyes of Adlivun’s queen and realized that this was no longer the innocent, charitable philanthropist he had known hundreds of years ago. She was hard. He wondered what percentage of the tempered rage behind her eyes he was responsible for generating.“One reason.” Aazuria was demanding. “Give me one convincing reason that I should not thrust my blade directly through your skull.”

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Please welcome one of my favorite authors, Jan Graham. If you're looking for some hot BDSM play, you've come to the right place. Jan is celebrating her new release with a contest, so don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below her post.

The Fine Line that my Doms Never Cross

Welcome to day nine of the Switching Mercedes Blog Tour. I’d like to thank Gale for hosting me today, it’s nice to be here and I hope you find what I have to say interesting.

Today I thought I’d talk about the type of men I like to write, in particular Zane and Ash from, Switching Mercedes. I love writing strong male characters, in my Wylde Shore Series the stories have a BDSM them, so my heroes are Doms. I think writing a character who’s a Dom is slightly different to writing the regular alpha male that inhabits most romances. You see I believe that there is a fine line between being Dominant and being domineering. I think that line can sometimes be crossed when writing BDSM which can result in an outcry from readers who accuse the hero of being a control freak or an abusive male. I’d like to think we all know the difference but alas, when the lines blur some people can get the wrong message.

For me, a domineering man is totally autocratic in his behavior and expectations of others. He expects automatic compliance from others, assume individual control of all decisions and typically makes choices based on his own ideas and judgments and rarely accepts advice or input from anyone else. It’s really the, my way or the highway, type of attitude. Often behavior and actions that involve forcing a person to comply with his will, through forceful or manipulative means, sometimes goes hand in hand with this attitude. That’s not the sort of man I like, nor is it the sort of man depicted in my books.

The Doms I write have strong, dominant personalities, firmly set points of view and assertive communication styles. They also have compassion and an understanding that, when it comes to human relations, submitting to a person’s authority is about choice and consent. They don’t expect, they simply ask. They don’t force, they encourage. They make their expectations clear but then allow whoever they are dealing with to decide the outcome.

With Ash and Zane, they definitely let Mercedes know what they’d like from her, what they expect if she decides to be with them, they encourage her to explore her own desires. They have the patience to allow her time to choose, to let her come to them, knowing that trust is a major factor in whether the three of them will have the D/s relationship they desire. That’s the sort of man, and romance hero I like. I hope you do too.

Below is information about the book and where you can purchase it, along with my other books, including the first two in the Wylde Shore Series. If you’ve missed any of the previous blog from the tour you can check them out by looking up the appearance dates via link below. There is also a competition running during the tour, where you can win the complete Wylde Shore Series, entry details are at the bottom of this post.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a commotion taking place on the far side of the taped-off area of the house. The yellow tape began to flap in the breeze, and officers tried to block access to the scene as a Hercules of Scandinavian appearance barreled his way through their defenses. Mercedes smiled when she heard her name.

“Where is she? Mercedes Harris-Shore, I demand to see her now.” His command boomed out for all to hear in a deep baritone that sent an erotic chill down her spine.

“Do you know him? Should I lock the ambulance doors or tell him you’re over here? He seems really…terrifying. Is he your boyfriend or something?”

She nearly lost track of the young ambulance officer’s rapidly fired questions, too intrigued by the circus unfolding before them.

“Yes, he’s something alright.” Mercedes nearly laughed at the terrified look on the medic’s face. “Oh, and don’t worry, we’re not in any danger.”

Zane reminded her of a Viking. Tall with the broadest shoulders of any man she knew. She watched as muscles rippled beneath the tight black T-shirt he wore, as he swatted uniformed officers away like they were flies. His shoulder-length blond hair, usually neatly combed, swung freely around his face, his strong, square jaw set firm with dogged determination as he worked his way to the front steps of the house, attempting to get inside.

“Would you like me to tell him you’re over here?” the medic asked, an edge of concern in his tone as they watched Zane grab an officer from the front line of defense, lifting him off his feet with ease.

“Where. Is. She?” The larger-than-average uniformed officer hung in the air like a rag doll at the mercy of a petulant toddler.

“No, he’ll find me soon enough, he always does.” Mercedes watched the action with delight. Not only was he divine to look at, but he knew how to make her laugh. Even when he was being an infuriating jerk she found him amusing. If he’d just stop being so dominantly determined she’d be his submissive then he’d be the perfect man for her. After all, what woman wouldn’t want a sexy bad-boy-Viking to come to her rescue? It was certainly better than any puny Prince Charming or a clunky knight in shining armor.

“Put that officer down, Zane Reynolds, before one of my guys shoots you.” Christian’s voice matched Zane’s for volume as he stepped through the doorway and onto the veranda.

“Excellent, Christian Shore, just the man to give me the answers I need.” Zane dropped the young policeman before walking toward her brother. “Where is Mercedes?”

“Once you’ve assured yourself my sister is fine I want you back over here explaining exactly how you found out she was here.” Christian spoke in his don’t-fuck-with-me tone as he pointed toward the ambulance.

It didn’t appear Zane even heard what her brother said because the moment their gazes met Zane stalked toward her, a deep frown creasing his normally relaxed brow.

“Why are you in an ambulance—are you injured?” The ambulance dipped under his weight as he climbed in beside her, meticulously eyeing her for injuries.

“I’m fine. I got upset when I found out what happened to Samantha, so Christian suggested I sit with the medic.” She glared over at the young medic hoping he read the tell-this-guy-nothing look she flashed him. The last thing she needed was for Zane to discover she’d fainted. She maintained a case of show no weakness in relation to Zane, and Mercedes wanted to keep it that way.

In less time than it took to blink, Mercedes found herself perched on Zane’s lap, pressed firmly against his hard chest, his strong arms wrapped around her like a protective shield. Her body warmed instantly, unaware she’d been cold. Frazzled nerves calmed as she rested her head against his chest listening to the steady rhythm of his heart. She wanted to wrap her arms around him in return, resting in the cocoon of safety he’d covered her in, but that wasn’t how they rolled and she knew it.

“Of course you were upset. Anyone would be under these circumstances.” His rich, smooth voice and understanding words soothed her weary nerves.

How did he know she needed him, that she wanted to be held and comforted after all she’d witnessed today? How did he always know when to show up, cheering her day, offering support, or annoying the shit out of her then making her laugh? More importantly, why did she always push him away? Her fingers rested on the leather belt at his waist. All she had to do was put her arms around him, accepting the embrace. Then he blew it, like he always did.

Blurb:

Zane Reynolds believes he’s found the perfect submissive for he and his brother but there’s a problem. Mistress Mercedes Harris-Shore doesn’t want to submit to anyone. Zane hopes a bet will solve that issue, along with providing the key to finally win not only Mercedes's submission, but also her heart.

Ash Reynolds knows he isn’t a good man for any woman to fall in love with. He’s a paid mercenary, disillusioned with life and his ability to fit into the civilized world. Zane insists he’s found the perfect woman for them to share, but the problem is, Mercedes has no idea Ash exists.

Mercedes has more to worry about than a wager where she plays submissive to Zane for a week. She’s just become a serial killer’s new target and met the man assigned to protect her, Zane’s twin, Ash Reynolds. Ash appears as interested in her submission as Zane, but Mercedes isn’t looking to be shared.

Jan Graham describes herself in many ways. She is a full time writer, friend, submissive, orphan, widow, aunt, and sometimes, a wild child. Despite any hiccups the universe may throw at her, she believes in experiencing everything life has to offer and being the best person she can be. Jan lives in Newcastle, Australia, where she spends her time writing erotic romance. Her writing falls under a variety of genres including BDSM, contemporary romance, romantic suspense and paranormal romance. Jan has often been quoted as saying:

"I am glad to finally give the characters that swirl around my head on a constant basis, the opportunity to put themselves down on paper and I hope they entertain my readers as much as they amuse me."

My social media hangouts – drop by to like or follow, and don’t forget to say hello to me while you’re there.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

When it comes to
fiction writing, almost anything goes. That is why I love writing paranormal
and fantasy stories. The author can go completely over the edge and make
something unbelievable seem believable. When it comes to ghost stories, I get a
lot of my inspiration from real life experiences. Not necessarily my own
either. I watch television programs that partake of the supernatural and
paranormal flare. Programs from ordinary people who claim they experienced
either an afterlife experience, or a haunting.

Some of my
stories from my upcoming release “Wicked Intentions” is based on actual
hauntings. Some stories I read about in the newspaper, and others I watched on
true life experience programs. So the next time you get “writer’s block” try
switching on the television. You might find something to jolt your inspiration.

Blurbs for Wicked
Intentions-a paranormal/mystery anthology

BLOOD TIES- word
count 15, 902

After the
mysterious disappearance of twenty-six year old wife and mother Lisa Smalley,
her twin, Audra Roper, begins having dark and disturbing visions of Lisa’s
disappearance. Trying to survive while looking for Lisa, Audra’s life becomes a
roller coaster of risks, heartbreak, and intrigue.

THE HAUNTING OF
BARB MARIE- word count 9,845

Even as a child,
Barb Marie saw dead people. This took an unhealthy toil on her throughout her
childhood and young adulthood.

SUMMER WIND-word
count 13,039

When twenty-nine
year old Ginger discovers the old mansion Summer Wind, she is mysteriously
drawn to it. . Immediately, the haunting’s have a negative and profound effect
on the family.

THE TRUTH BEHIND
THE LIES-laying the Norfolk ghost to rest-word count-23,845

Solving the
brutal murder of American born Ruthie Geil becomes a gauntlet of attacks and
more murders for Federal Police Inspector Ian Christian. Between the victims
family, ex-lovers, and ghostly occurrences on Norfolk Island, the killer is
closer than anyone realizes.

THE LEGEND OF
LAKE MANOR-word count 8,297

For the young
psychic Cassandra Lopez, coming to the infamous and haunted mansion Lake Manor,
was more like a mission.

THE
APARTMENT-word count 5,188

When young
newlyweds Bill and Gayle move into their new apartment, their lives are plagued
with sightings of evil ghosts that threaten their marriage and lives.

DARK VISIONS-word
count 5,170

When Carrie
Reynold’s starts having nightmares on her twenty-sixth birthday, she believes
her “dark visions” can solve the twenty year disappearance of her father.

Author Bio:

I have been a
long-time resident of southeastern Ohio, and worked in the blue-collar industry
most of my life. Besides having several novels under my belt, I canvass paint.

When not busy
with hobbies or working outside the home, I spend time with relatives, my dogs
Jasmine and Scooter, and volunteer my time within the community. I am a member
of the Hocking Hill's Arts and Craftsmen Association, The Hocking County
Historical Society and Museum, and the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center. I
believe in family values and following your dreams.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

You might have noticed a new widget on the top of my sidebar.
It's Authorgraph, and I just discovered it this weekend. What's
Authorgraph? It's a very cool, free service developed by Evan Jacobs, a software developer from Seattle, that lets you get your ebooks
electronically autographed.

You don't need a Kindle device to receive an Authorgraph.
They're available on other platforms, including pdf. And the autograph is a
separate document, so you can create a collection of all your autographed covers.

So far, I've added three of my books to the site, more to
come. Just click on that widget (I also placed one on my Facebook page) and see
how easy it is to get a personalized, autographed cover.Authorgraph website: http://www.authorgraph.com/

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Hey Everybody! Bestselling author KD Grace is here, and look who she brought - sexy limo-driver Nick Chase. So settle back and get ready for the ride of your life.

KD’s CouchBe Afraid Freud, Be Very AfraidNick Chase Assumes the Position

Thanks so much for having me over, Gale, on day four of the Fulfilling the Contract blog tour. It’s always a pleasure to be here. It’s taken a bit of doing, but I’ve finally gotten Nick Chase, the sexy limo-driver, from Fulfilling the Contract to agree to let Gale’s lovely readers sit in on one of our little psych-sessions. We writers are all practicing psychologists when it comes to our characters. When they need someone to talk to, when they need someone to analyse them, we hang our counselling shingle and pick up pen and notebook while they stretch out on the couch and unburden themselves. Nick: (Glances around the room nervously at all of Gale’s readers.) I suppose I should get used to people watching me doing … private things. Shit! I think I must be out of my mind. I mean sure, I had sex with Tanya Povic, and okay I did get her fired from Mount Vegas. But how the hell was I supposed to know? And then I stupidly agree to finish out her contract so she can get her bonus! Fuck, KD! What the hell was I thinking?KD: Why do you think you agreed, Nick? Clearly Tanya was already getting plenty of sex and already breaking the rules before you came along.Nick: You’re gonna think I’m crazy. (Laughs nervously) But then you probably already think that or I wouldn’t be here, would I? (Shifts on the couch and runs fingers through bronze hair, which does nothing to rid him of that fresh out of bed look. I do a little shifting of my own.) At first I felt guilty, you know. For getting her fired. I mean she lost a huge bonus she’d had earmarked for her mother’s surgery, but damn, when I found out what they do at Mount Vegas, what that crazy Elsa Crane expected me to do, well I ran. I just ran.KD: But you came back.Nick: Oh it’s not like I’m a hero or anything. You know why I came back? You know why I agreed to … to work for Elsa, to let people watch me having sex? (He shoves into a sitting position) It’s Elsa Crane. Fuck! I can’t believe I’m admitting this. The woman makes me furious. But the first time I saw her, it was in a suite at the Cosmopolitan, she was dressed like Tarzan’s Jane, all leopard print loin cloth and halter top. And her hair, God all that thick dark hair! It looked like she’d been … I mean it was a hotel room and she was sitting on the bed. She just looked so wild. It was clear right then she was the boss, ordering everyone around, taking control, not in a bad way, in a competent way. And there were all of these monitors and computers and scopes and they were watching people have sex. That’s when I found out what they did at Mount Vegas and …KD: And?Nick: (Grabs a throw pillow and places it strategically across his lap) Well I couldn’t stop thinking about Elsa Crane. I mean the woman was practically laughing at me, wasn’t she? And then when I came back, when I decided to try and talk to her, well, I caught her in one of those fantasy acts Mount Vegas provides for its clients. They stage things for voyeurs, you know. Get paid a lot of money for it too. Anyway Elsa was all tied up and Pike – he works for her – he was spanking her and making her do things, really filthy things and …KD: And it aroused you?Nick: (offers a gorgeous blush) I didn’t want it to. Really I didn’t. And I didn’t intend to agree to Elsa’s terms, to fulfil Tanya’s contract, but Elsa Crane … well the woman doesn’t take no for an answer. The woman’s crazy. Have you had her on your couch, KD? Because, really she needs it worse than I do.KD: We’re talking about you, Nick, not Elsa. Nick: Thing is; (He’s avoiding my gaze now, looking down at his hands on top of the pillow) I’m not doing this for Tanya, even though she’s the one I wronged. I’m doing this for Elsa Crane. (He shrugs and glances up at me) She doesn’t think I can pull off working for Mount Vegas, doing what they do, until Tanya’s contract is up. I know she doesn’t. I can see it in her eyes. I’m not even sure I can. The crazy thing is; I don’t care about the clients who’ll be paying to watch me. I don’t care about Tanya’s bonus. What I care about is getting Elsa off while she watches me. And I know she’ll be watching, monitoring. You know, making sure the fantasy goes according to plan. Actually, (There’s that blush again) I get off on the thought of her watching me, and ever since I met her, (He clears his throat several times, like something’s stuck in it.) well I’m always horny. I’m always having to … take care of business. I can’t get her off my mind. The thought of her watching me while I do the nasty, the thought of her being turned on by what I do, well … that gets me there. (He shifts beneath the pillow and glances at the door.) I really need to go. I uh… I’ve got a pick-up over at the Tropicana and then I’m meeting Elsa for an orientation session. Christ, KD, I really hope I can pull this off. KD: I hope you can too, Nick.Nick: Wish me luck. (I know it’s unprofessional, but I watch his very fine backside move in those sexy black jeans as he heads for the door. You all are watching too, aren’t you? Don’t lie, I’m the shrink and I’ll know if you do.)

Blurb:Limo driver, NICK CHASE’s bad night gets worse when he picks up TANYA POVIC at a bar only to discover the explosive sex they share lands her in breach of her very strange contract. Blaming himself that Tanya will lose the large completion bonus earmarked for her mother’s surgery, Nick negotiates with her boss, the tough and mysterious ELSA CRANE, to allow him to fulfill Tanya’s contract and secure her bonus.

Elsa runs Mount Vegas, which offers voyeuristic pleasures for a price. Nick’s job, with Elsa and her quirky team, is to give clients something worth watching through the plate glass windows of Vegas’s luxury hotels and beyond. The learning curve is steep and kinky. As Nick and Elsa’s relationship sizzles and ignites more than hotel room rendezvouses are exposed. In this sequel to The Initiation of Ms Holly things get positively dangerous as Rita Holly and her team are called in from London to lend a helping hand. Bets are being placed. Will Nick fulfill the contract? Will he and Elsa take the gamble? And will they find a way to win at the high stakes, double or nothing, game of hearts? Available from:http://kdgrace.co.uk/books/fulfilling-the-contract/

Excerpt:‘Surely you can give Tanya one more chance,’ Nick said. ‘And really, it was my fault. I’d had a bad day and I wasn’t on my best behaviour.’Elsa tossed the headset back onto the dressing table and rubbed the back of her neck. ‘Mr Chase, unless you want to fulfil Tanya’s contract for her, this conversation is over. It’s been a long day, and I’ve had enough. Pagan will escort the two of you back downstairs and since Tanya no longer works for me, I don’t care if you fuck her brains out. Now if you’d –’‘Alright,’ Nick interrupted. ‘I will.’Suddenly all eyes were on him. ‘Tell me what to do and I’ll fulfil the contract for her.After all, it’s my fault she’s in breach.’Tanya gave a little yelp that sounded like a kitten in distress and Elsa laughed out loud. ‘Mr Chase, you don’t even know what Tanya’s contract involves.’‘I assume it has something to do with what’s going on in room 2031. It’s not prostitution is it?’‘No! No, is not prostitution,’ Tanya said, the excitement nearly vibration through her voice. ‘Is nothing like that.’‘Well actually it’s something like that,’ Elsa corrected. ‘My people get paid for sex.’‘I don’t understand,’ Nick said.’She nodded him over to one of the scopes set up at the bedroom window. When he balked, she nodded again. ‘Go ahead; check out what’s going on in room 2031.’Nick nearly knocked the scope out of focus at his first view of the naked ass of a man pistoning his cock into a woman bent over a big bed. Her head was buried between the legs of another woman, who was pinching her own nipples for all she was worth and writhing beneath the serious tongue action.‘Then they are prostitutes.’ Nick’s voice was suddenly a whisper, as though he feared he might disturb the people he viewed through the scope.‘No.’ Elsa leaned close to him as though she could see over his shoulder. ‘They all work for me, and they get paid a lot of money to have sex with each other while someone else watches.’With difficulty, Nick took his eyes off what was going on in the scope. He suddenly felt dizzy. ‘Let me get this straight, these people –’ he nodded around the room ‘– All of these people and those –’ he pointed to the scope ‘—have sex with each other and people pay money to watch.’Elsa nodded ‘A lot of money.’‘And that’s what Tanya was doing? That’s what the contract’s about, having sex and letting people watch?’‘That’s what the contract’s about,’ Elsa said. With a smirk, she pulled Tanya’s red panties out of Nick’s pocket where he’d forgotten he’d stuffed after he’d picked them up from the parking lot at the Mango. She handed them back to Tanya and replaced them with a black business card, briskly patting his pocket as she did so. ‘I know how much you loath your job, Mr Chase, and I can almost guarantee you’d find what Tanya does a lot more satisfying. But –’ she ran a hand down and gave his crotch a quick grope ‘– It takes some serious balls.’He elbowed her away and shoved past Tanya and Pagan. ‘You people are all crazy if you think I would … if you think I might …’Elsa offered him a smile that he felt, much to his discomfort, right down between his legs. Then she lifted an eyebrow and gave a shrug that made the dark gloss of her hair shimmer in the subdued lighting. ‘You asked.’About K D GraceK D Grace believes Freud was right. In the end, it really IS all about sex, well sex and love. And nobody’s happier about that than she is, otherwise, what would she write about? When she’s not writing, K D is veg gardening. When she’s not gardening, she’s walking. She walks her stories, and she’s serious about it. She and her husband have walked Coast to Coast across England, along with several other long-distance routes. For her, inspiration is directly proportionate to how quickly she wears out a pair of walking boots. She also enjoys martial arts, reading, watching the birds and anything that gets her outdoors.K D has erotica published with SourceBooks, Xcite Books, Harper Collins Mischief Books, Mammoth, Cleis Press, Black Lace, Erotic Review, Ravenous Romance, Sweetmeats Press and others.K D’s critically acclaimed erotic romance novels include, The Initiation of Ms Holly, The Pet Shop. Her paranormal erotic novel, Body Temperature and Rising, the first book of her Lakeland Heatwave trilogy, was listed as honorable mention on Violet Blue’s Top 12 Sex Books for 2011. Books two and three, Riding the Ether, and Elemental Fire, are now also available. She was nominated for ETO’s Best Erotic Author 2013. K D Grace also writes hot romance as Grace Marshall. An Executive Decision, Identity Crisis, The Exhibition are all available. Find K D Here:Websites:http://kdgrace.co.uk/http://gracemarshallromance.co.uk/Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/KDGraceAuthorTwitter:https://twitter.com/KD_Gracehttp://twitter.com/GM_RomancePinterest:http://www.pinterest.com/kdgraceauthor/

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Welcome to the REALIZING YOU Blog Tour!Enjoy the author interview and book excerpt, and don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway below. One randomly chosen commenter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/10/virtual-book-tour-realizing-you-by-ron.htmlAuthor InterviewWhat is the first book you remember making an indelible impression on you.The Feminine Mystic. For a farm boy, raised in a male-dominated society in a small Midwest community, this book was more than an eye-opener; it was a shock to my conventional/inherited way of thinking about women’s role in the world and in relationships. I was a young adult at the time of reading the book, and I have been working for the decades since to embed the author’s insights so deep into my psychic that my holistic view of women is an automatically healthy one. The book truly changed my life forever. It’s the same goal I have for the readers of Realizing You.If you could only eat one food the rest of your life, what would it be?I have two answers to this question. First, if I didn’t want to live a longer life, I would choose key-lime pie. I love the flavor and texture of a really good key-lime pie—tart, creamy, limey… To illustrate how nuts I am about this pie, I was recently on Route 1 in Florida, heading for a nature’s tour of the Everglades, when I spotted a Publix grocery store. Immediately, my thoughts went to their really good key-lime pies. I wheeled into the parking lot and was quickly in the fresh pies’ section, (I knew where to go) looking for a slice or half portion of my pie. A whole pie was all that I could find. I bought it, took it back to my rental car, placed the pie on the car’s trunk, and, using my plastic knife and fork, cut and quickly consumed a generous piece of that delicious key-lime pie. I found a trash container, where I deposited the rest of pie. As I am writing this, I feel guilty about my act of greed, understanding that millions of people around the world (and some probably near that trash container in Florida) are starving. But, I still savor that piece of pie. Yet, a decidedly unhealthy choice for leading a long life. The second answer is the healthy choice one (for which I have a much shorter explanation). Spinach is my choice for a longer life. It has so many good nutrients. I love its taste in all forms, with salad being a slight favorite over all the rest. I’m good with the idea of going to my grave eating only spinach, if that’s all there is.If you were a shifter, what animal would you like to be?I’m not sure what “a shifter” is, so I will answer the question simply: “What animal would I like to be reincarnated as?” I could be very happy being a monkey roaming free in some place like Costa Rica or Madagascar. Monkeys seem independent, resourceful, alert, adventuresome, fun-loving, and very agile, to mention a few of their more admirable traits. And swinging by my tail from tree branch to tree branch—sounds awesome!Favorite season? Why?Spring. It’s the season of promise and growth. I love the vividly bright colors and the sweet and varied smells. I love to see new plants popping out of the ground—Irises, Tulips, (which I particularly love—my father’s favorite flower, always reminding me of him), Azaleas. Then the roses. Every year, right after Thanksgiving, I begin to get excited about the next spring, a little over four months away in my part of the country.Best movie ever made?I have no original answer to this question—hands down, “Gone with the Wind.” I've probably seen the movie five times. Every five years or so, I watch my movie DVD again. And, every time I watch it, I come away with some different insight or feeling. To me, it is a movie about tough choices. People making decisions about how to handle the devastation of war. People making decisions about relationships. It’s a movie about making mature decisions, in times of great conflict and change.

REALIZING YOU

By

Ron Doades with Susan Sloate

BLURB: Meet Robby Aihn, the newest star in the self-help universe and author of the runaway bestseller, Realizing You, now struggling with his first taste of fame. Though his five principles for good living are changing other people’s lives, his own life is starting to fall apart. When Robby stages a lavish self-help conference in Dallas, he attracts others with their own secrets: his estranged wife and unhappy teenage daughter; the businessman pursuing his own agenda; the all-star pitcher facing the end of his career; and the shy co-author Robby never acknowledged, who is searching for meaning in her own life. Join Robby and the others on their journey toward understanding and fulfillment, in this truly novel approach to changing YOUR life.Excerpt 1Liz liked him like this—listening to other people’s problems, thinking about how to help them. This was the Robby whose principles in coaching and teaching had been the basis of his bestselling book. They were solid principles, and he’d taught them for years, and Liz knew herself that they did change people’s lives.The Robby she had trouble admiring had emerged as the book shot up the bestseller lists. Always neat and well groomed, he’d now become fanatically clothes-conscious. He’d recently begun to order custom-made suits and add monograms to his expensive English shirts. While she decided how many new computers they needed for the office, he flew to New York for fittings with the city’s most exclusive tailor. She hired and trained new staff, and he consulted a professional colorist and lightened his hair.When Robby solicited her opinion afterward, Liz asked, “What about the people who were fans before, some of our biggest customers? Won’t these flashy changes bother them?”“You’re not looking at the big picture,” he said patiently. “These people are coming to me for answers. They expect to see someone who has them.”Liz chose her words carefully. “And someone who has the answers is—attractive? Youthful? Using a facelift?”“Stop it.” He glared at her. “The spa people I talked to said weekly facials were a good idea. They said it would make my skin softer and make me seem more approachable.”Liz couldn’t think of any polite answer to that.The current Robby had shown up after Marie moved out. It didn’t help that Liz knew why. But what did his wife expect him to do, now that he was finally creating a national impression?It’s difficult seeing him humbled, Liz thought. Robby had worked a long time for success and done whatever was necessary, cheerfully and willingly, to achieve it. Yeah, he’d gone overboard with the glitzy success guy. It was still hard watching him hurt—not because he’d failed, but because he’d succeeded, after years of striving. And seeing him hurt over his family’s defection upset Liz. It wasn’t right, but there was nothing she could do about it.Liz thought all these things while she watched Robby stare out the window. Sad that things hadn’t been good for him personally since the publication of Realizing You.Professionally, things were fantastic. The book was a runaway bestseller, the website hits had gone crazy, Robby’s online presence had gone viral. One month after the book shot to number one, Liz arranged joint ventures, after five years of trying, with three of the top personal-development people in the country, all who eagerly endorsed Robby’s work and sought his endorsement as well.They’d taken a huge step forward. Robby’s plan, scrawled on a piece of paper torn from a dime-store notebook, was starting to come true, in a big way. He’d been aiming at this success for a decade, and he’d brought in Liz five years ago to set up the structure and foundation while he set about becoming the persona in whom people could put their faith.Both of them had succeeded, but now Robby was failing in all the important areas of his life.AUTHOR INFORMATION:RON DOADES is president of Ronald Doades & Company, a consulting firm that, since 1977, has helped the people of large and mid-size energy companies improve their individual and corporate performance results by learning from the best-practice experiences of others. A popular speaker on the topic of managing change for optimal results, he holds an MBA from Columbia University and an MS in Psychology from The New School in New York City. Visit him at www.realizingyoubook.comSUSAN SLOATE is the author of twenty published books, including STEALING FIRE, a #2 Amazon bestseller and Quarter-Finalist in the 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest, and FORWARD TO CAMELOT (authored with Kevin Finn), which in its first edition was a #6 Amazon bestseller, took honors in 3 literary competitions and was optioned for film by a Hollywood production company. She lives in Mount Pleasant, SC. Visit her online at http://susansloate.com.